Lawyers vs. Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers: Who Earns More?
Lawyers out-earn Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers by $101K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Lawyers land at $159,670 and Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers at $58,650. The education gap is real: lawyer programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while title examiners, abstractors, and searcher programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Lawyers is New York ($207,860); for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers it's Colorado ($77,600).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Lawyers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Lawyers or Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers?
Lawyers earn more nationally. The median is $159,670 for Lawyers versus $58,650 for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers, a difference of $101K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Lawyers or Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers?
Lawyers has the better 10-year outlook at 4.1% projected growth, compared to 2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Lawyers or Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers?
Lawyers typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers requires doctoral or professional degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Lawyers get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Lawyers at $207,860/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Lawyers vs. Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Lawyers earn $195,080 vs. $67,230 for Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.